Cliff Notes, Cliffs Notes, Cliffnotes, Cliffsnotes
are trademarked properties of the John Wiley Publishing Company. TheBestNotes.com
does not provide or claim to provide free Cliff Notes or free Sparknotes. Free Cliffnotes
and Free Spark Notes are trademarked properties of the John Wiley Publishing Company and Barnes & Noble, Inc., respectively.
TheBestNotes.com has no relation.

ROMEO AND JULIET: FREE STUDY GUIDE / BOOK SUMMARY

LITERARY ELEMENTS

SETTING

The play is set in the thirteenth or fourteenth century in Italy in Verona
and Mantua. Much of the action takes place in Julietís house. Two cities
of Venice are also mentioned in the play. The Capulets and the Montagues,
the main families of the play, are from noble lineage and wealth; they
dress well, live in fancy surroundings, and are served by many attendants.
The playís basic setting, therefore, is rich and elegant.

CHARACTER LIST

Major Characters

RomeoThe hero and one of the protagonists of Romeo and Juliet. The
son of Old Montague, he is at first in love with Lord Capuletís niece,
Rosaline. When he goes to a feast given by Capulet, he attends the feast
in a mask, meets Capuletís daughter Juliet, falls in love with her, and
becomes passionate and impulsive.

JulietThe heroine and one of the protagonists of the play. She is the
thirteen-year-old daughter of Capulet. She is a happy, romantic, and an
innocent girl who falls in love with Romeo.

Friar Lawrence The person who is responsible for helping Romeo and Juliet. He
is a good man with good intentions.

NurseA friend, guide, confidante, and educator of Juliet. She has raised
Juliet and is truly fond of her. She is a realist, who is fond of talking
and joking. She often provides comic relief to the play.

Minor Characters

The Montagues One of the two major families of Verona. They are bitter enemies
of the Capulets.

The Capulets One of the two major families of Verona. They are bitter enemies
of the Montagues.

EscalusThe Prince of Verona. He is tired of the fighting in his city
and threatens anyone who disturbs the peace with death.

Paris A young nobleman and kinsman of the Prince. He is handsome and
courteous and favorable to the Capulets. They arrange for Juliet to marry
him since they do not realize she is married to Romeo.

BenvolioA nephew of Montague and a friend of Romeo.

Mercutio A relative of the Prince, who relies on satire and serves as comic
relief to the melancholy mood of Romeo. He is responsible for making the
young lovers aware of the practical aspects of love.

Tybalt Lady Capuletís nephew, who is quick to anger. He constantly provokes
Romeo to fight. In the end, Romeo kills him.

Friar John A Friar in the same church as Friar Lawrence. He is sent to deliver
a message to Romeo in Mantua about Friar Lawrenceís plan for the lovers.

Lady Capulet The young wife of Capulet, who has an ugly temper. She is humbled
by the death of her daughter Juliet.

Lady Montague The wife of Montague who hates the violence that plagues Verona.
When she learns of the suicide of her son Romeo, she grieves herself to
death and becomes another victim of the old family conflict.

Balthazar Servant to Romeo.

Samson and Gregory Servants to the Capulets.

Peter Servant to Julietís nurse. He helps keep the family quarrel alive.

Abraham Servant to the Montagues. He also helps keep the family quarrel
alive.